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NFL Championship Sunday Preview and Predictions

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The stage has been set for some of the most talented teams in football to compete in the Conference Championship. They devoted over 1,500 hours, or six days a week from August to January, to train for a shot at an appearance in Super Bowl LII. The postseason isn’t just an extension of the regular season, it’s what teams grind for all season. In the playoffs fans and players are shrouded by the fear that there might not be another week to play. One mistake could end a season. It’s go big or go home. Fans and their teams mesh together to create an electric atmosphere, all equally knowing what is at stake. Regular season stats are thrown out of the window. When faced with a win or go home situation adrenaline takes over, causing players to dig deeper than ever.

We have seen a multitude of spectacular moments already in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Patriots will appear in their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game and are searching for their sixth Super Bowl ring. Their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars, have shocked the league by steamrolling their way deep into the playoffs after several failed seasons. In the NFC the Vikings and Eagles will square off after both securing late fourth quarter wins last weekend. Unfortunately, two teams must go home after this Sunday. This guide includes tips for betting on this weekend’s NFL championship games. These are the match-ups that we will be talking about all week:

AFC Championship: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

For the past five seasons the Jaguars were a laughing stock in the NFL. From 2012 to 2016 they failed to eclipse five wins on the season. However this year the Jaguars were on a mission. They finished with a winning record for the first time since 2007; coincidentally the last time the team appeared in the playoffs. In a low-scoring affair the Jags were able to survive the Bills, winning 10-3 in the Wild Card round. Critics scoffed at the idea that they would surpass the Divisional game in Pittsburgh. Their low offensive output in the first round of the playoffs was deemed futile against one of the AFC’s premier squads.

Everyone doubted the Jaguars except for themselves. The Steelers spent the week preparing for the Patriots rather than their current opponent. They seemed to forget that the Jaguars’ defense had a field day on Ben Roethlisberger back in Week Five, where he was picked five times. Last weekend “Sacksonville” was able to secure a 45-42 upset victory over the Steelers behind their running back corps’ four scores. The Jags’ defensive nightmare that they create for offenses is always something to worry about.

The Patriots played exemplary football so far in the postseason. They are held to high expectations because they are always able to ascertain them. It’s always hard to figure out what the Patriots are planning going into each match-up. They have the offensive weapons to pick apart any defense. Interestingly enough Tom Brady is the only quarterback left in the playoffs who has won a Super Bowl ring. The Patriots have the poise and experience to make another deep playoff run.

What is the most admirable about them is that Bill Belichick can remove a vital player on the opposing team from the game. Consequently this always makes the opponent squirm and eventually sputter out as the Pats skirt on by for a win. That was the case for their Divisional game last weekend against the Titans. Running the football is the basis of the Titans’ offense, and without Demarco Murray the running back corps was slim. Play after play Derrick Henry slammed into a wall of defenders and was only able to pick up twenty-eight yards against the Patriots. On the other side of the field Tom Brady outplayed Titans defenders through the air. The Patriots sailed to an easy 35-14 victory.

The Patriots will have their work cut out for them against Jacksonville’s stingy defense. The key to keep them afloat is for their offensive line to have a repeat of last weekend. Against the Titans the o-line didn’t allow Brady to be sacked once. On the other side Blake Bortles is always unpredictable and Leornard Fournette has been a huge cog for the Jags’ offense. They must strike early and keep Brady off the field as often as possible to pull out a win. The first defense to break down will dictate who will win the AFC Championship.

Prediction: 27-17 Patriots

NFC Championship: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

The Vikings quietly had one of the best seasons in the league this year. Their defense was phenomenal behind Pro Bowlers Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes, and Anthony Barr. Also, despite all odds and injuries suffered on offense the Vikes were able to get to where they are today. The loss of rookie Dalvin Cook caused the run game to take a hit, but since then balanced out. Teddy Bridgewater, the team’s original starter, sat out with a brutal knee injury for one and a half seasons. His place was taken over by the man with the hot hand: Case Keenum. Keenum went from the bench in Los Angeles at the end of last season to a strong MVP candidate in Minnesota. Teams wrote him off but his leadership brought the Vikings to the conference championship for the first time since 2009.

In an insane chain of events the Vikings came out on top over the Saints 29-24 on the final play of the Divisional game. A last play touchdown by Stefon Diggs is now regarded as the Minneapolis Miracle.

The Eagles were the team to beat for the majority of the regular season. Their year was going perfectly up until when the injury bug took away their star quarterback (and probable MVP) Carson Wentz. Since then there has been a little turbulence for the Eagles since Nick Foles took the helm. The Eagles locked up the number one seed in the NFC despite losing Wentz, yet things felt different. The once dangerous offense the Eagles possessed became mundane. Those strikes down the middle of the field for huge gains became less common. Nick Foles has done what’s in his power to lead the Eagles through the playoffs, but their offense is not as dangerous as they once were weeks ago. Home field advantage has been a saving grace for the team.

The Eagles’ Divisional match up against the Falcons was a physical defensive bout. Though the Eagles failed to score a touchdown against the Falcons they snuck by with a 15-10 win. All credit for the victory goes to the defense, who shut down Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones.

The Eagles’ defense will be a huge test for Case Keenum and the Vikings. On the flip-side, the Eagles will have to put their running game into high gear to jump-start the offense. The key for this match-up will lie in the trenches. Foles will need a scapegoat to open up his passing game. Jay Ajayi also has to be a prime performer to make a dent in the Vikings’ defense. However Minnesota is one win away from being the first team to play in a Super Bowl that they are hosting, and they are going to fire on all cylinders.

Prediction: 20-14 Vikings

 

Follow Mike Clement on Twitter @MClementMedia

Cover photo courtesy of Todd Rosenberg/NFL.

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XI

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The Super Bowl is just 41 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 41 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion! 

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl hosted Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977. The game pitted the NFC champion Minnesota Vikings against the Oakland Raiders of the American Football Conference.

Minnesota Vikings 41 Years Ago

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By the 1976 season, the Vikings were annually hosting playoff games in frigid Bloomington. Bud Grant’s squad was veteran-laden. For example, quarterback Fran Tarkenton was in his 16th season. The Vikes got a big lift. in ’76 by adding an outstanding wide receiver named Sammy White. They played Ahmad Rashad at the other wide out position. Add to the mix Chuck Foreman out of the backfield and Pro Bowl tight end Stu Voigt. Suddenly, Minnesota had a big play offense to go along with their stellar defense.

The inimitable Buddy Ryan served as Grant’s defensive coordinator. The unit finished 2nd in the NFL. They featured five starters that had played at least 10 seasons! The Vikings were especially stout against the pass. They combined their great pass rush with terrific play from their back-end.

This was the fourth consecutive season that Minnesota was the class of the NFC. However, Roger Staubach’s “Hail Mary” stunned the ’75 Vikings. They bounced back with a tremendous regular season.

In the ’76 playoffs, they stayed at home to eliminate Washington. In the championship game, the Vikings parlayed several first half breaks into a 17-0 lead. The Rams scored two touchdowns in the third to put a scare into the home team and their fans. However, midseason acquisition Sammy Johnson dashed 12 yards for a clinching score. Thus, Vikings’ fans were rewarded for sitting through single-digit wind chills.

Oakland Raiders 41 Years Ago

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The Vikings’ opponent was the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders, under Hall-of-Fame coach John Madden, participated in the AFC Championship game four times in five seasons from 1971-1975. They were the winningest team in the league over that time. Unfortunately, they had not made the Super Bowl since the 1967 season where they got blasted by Green Bay.

The Raiders’ best players were on their offensive line – Art Shell & Gene Upshaw. On offense, they played with tremendous balance. Quarterback Ken “the snake” Stabler had weapons like Dave Casper, Cliff Branch and Fred Belitnikoff. But, they also had a sneaky good running attack thanks to 1000-yard rusher Mark van Eeghen, Clarence Davis and Pete Banaszak. Put it altogether and the Raiders went 13-1 in 1976.

Their only loss was against New England by a score of 48-17 early in the season. The Raiders exacted their revenge in the playoffs – barely. New England was called for an awful roughing the passer on fourth down with under two minutes to go. The Raiders scored and advanced. (Somehow, 25 years later, a critical call determined another Raiders-Pats’ playoff game.)

Oakland Beats Pittsburgh

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After losing consecutive AFC championship games to Pittsburgh, the Raiders were primed and ready this season to knock off the two-time defending world champions. The Steelers played that game without Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris. The “Steel Curtain” had one of the greatest defensive seasons in NFL history. But, it was Oakland’s underrated defense that won this game.

Oakland’s defensive backfield was awesome. Willie Brown, Skip Thomas, Jack Tatum and George Atkinson were great in coverage, but exceptional at hitting in a day when the NFL did not prevent DB’s from destroying receivers.

Oakland did not mind bending or breaking the rules. In fact, they took pride in it. Nowadays, if the Patriots get a call on third down or the ball is a milli-ounce under the playing weight, everybody in the region pays for it. Back then, the Raiders were lauded for their cheating and rule-bending, even glorified for it.

One-sided Affair

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The Super Bowl itself was a letdown. The Raiders’ huge offensive line knocked around Minnesota’s smallish-defensive linemen all day. It was not van Eeghen, it was Davis who exploded for chunk plays on offense. Stabler hit Belitnikoff on two different plays that ended up at the 1-yard line. Indeed, the veteran Belitnikoff, known for the globs of stickum he utilized, was the best player on the field that day.

The Raiders’ defense punished Viking ball carriers all day. The vintage moment of Super Bowl XI was Tatum hammering the defenseless White across the middle. The hit was so jarring, White’s helmet went flying.

The final score was 32-14 with Brown securing the game with a long interception return.

After 11 Super Bowls, Minnesota was 0-4 in such games, losing all by double-digits. They have not been back to this day. Contrariwise, the Raiders got back to the Super Bowl and won two more times under Al Davis.

The ’77 Raiders were great again. But they were thwarted by a club from their own division in their attempt to repeat.

Tomorrow, we will talk about that team and their legendary opponent from Super Bowl XII.

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl IX

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We are only 43 days away from Super Bowl LII. To commemorate this not so special occasion, let’s reminisce about the Super Bowl from 43 years ago. It was the NFC champion Minnesota Vikings taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers of the American Football Conference. Minnesota Iron vs. Pittsburgh Steel.

New Orleans hosted the game. Originally, It was scheduled for the comfort of the brand-new Superdome. However, the structure was not completed in time for the big game. So, for the third time, old Tulane Stadium was the venue.

Minnesota Vikings 43 Years Ago

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The Vikings were playing in their third Super Bowl. They lost to Kansas City in January 1970. Then, the Dolphins dumped them in January 1974. Undeterred, they marched through their 1974 season with nary a glitch. Indeed, Minnesota came to Super Bowl VIII with virtually the same cast of characters from Super Bowl VIII. 

During the regular season, the Vikings were led by the outstanding running back Chuck Foreman. Foreman was a threat in the running game, the passing game and he scored a lot. He would have been a fantasy football gem.

In the playoffs, the Vikings downed Don Coryell and his St. Louis Cardinals, 30-14 in frigid Metropolitan Stadium. The following week, Minnesota hosted the Los Angeles Rams.

In a hotly contested, low-scoring affair, the Vikings’ red zone play was the difference. The Rams got an incredible James Harris to Harold Jackson completion which put the Rams inside Minnesota’s five-yard line. But, the Vikes got a deflected interception to thwart the threat. They answered with an 80-yard scoring drive putting them up 14-3 in the fourth. They held on for a 14-10 victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense 43 Years Ago

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Their opponents in Super Bowl IX were the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were all about one thing in 1974: defense. Their “steel curtain” was dynamite. In fact, that unit played arguably the best team defense over a three-year span (1974-76) in NFL history.

Joe Greene, LC Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes played on the line. The linebackers were Jack Lambert, Andy Russell, and Jack Ham. In the backfield were Glen Edwards, Mike Wagner, JT Thomas and Mel Blount. Every one of those players made the Pro Bowl at least once in their career.

Indeed, “Mean” Joe Greene was Chuck Noll’s very first draft pick when he started his tenure as head coach in 1969. However, it was the 1974 draft that goes down in football annals. For, along with Lambert, Pittsburgh selected Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Yes, the Steelers drafted four Hall of Famers in one class!

Pittsburgh Steelers Offense 43 Years Ago

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Perhaps the Steelers’ most popular players were QB Terry Bradshaw and RB Franco Harris. Harris was rock solid from the get go. Bradshaw, on the other hand, struggled through five seasons of mediocrity. Even during the 1974 championship season, many felt the Steelers should turn to Joe Gilliam as the full-time starter.

But, Bradshaw had a cannon for an arm and tremendous poise in big games. That arm and poise was on display in their opening round playoff win over OJ Simpson and the Buffalo Bills.

In the AFC Championship game, the Steelers traveled to Oakland to play John Madden and the Raiders. Pittsburgh and Oakland played in three straight championship games with the Steelers winning the first two. On this day, Ham came up with two interceptions and Franco Harris gashed Oakland’s defense for 111 yards and two scores. The Steelers clinched their first title in 42 seasons!

Defense Rules

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Vegas posted the Steelers as 3-point favorites and a ridiculous 33 over/under. Thirty-three was a gift to total players as Minnesota barely threatened to score all game long. The Vikings’ only points came on a blocked punt return by strong safety Terry Brown.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, moved the ball well thanks to their rushing attack. Harris finished the day with 158 yards and a third quarter touchdown. Somehow, late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings were still in the game despite their only accumulating 100 yards of total offense.

With the score 9-6, the Steelers led by Bradshaw and tight end Larry Brown drove for a clinching touchdown. Thus, Pittsburgh claimed their championship. This would not be their last. They successfully defended their title in 1975.

The Vikings were emotionally deflated. But, Bud Grant gracefully led them back for an ever better 1975. Unfortunately, they were upset at home by the young Dallas Cowboys. However, the Vikings made it back to the Super Bowl following the 1976. Oakland steamrolled the Vikings. And they have not been back to the big game.

Tomorrow, we’ll be 42 days away from Super Bowl LII. So, we’ll discuss the Super Bowl from 42 years ago between the Steelers and Cowboys. And, while Super Bowl IX was a dreadfully dull game, Super Bowl X was an amazing contest.

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl VIII

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The Super Bowl is just 44 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 44 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

Super Bowl VIII was played in Houston’s Rice Stadium on January 13, 1974. The game pitted the NFC champion Minnesota Vikings against the Miami Dolphins of the American Football Conference. Miami was the first team of the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive conference championships. A feat so significant, it has only happened once since. Minnesota was playing in their second Super Bowl. They were handled by the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV as the favorite. This time, they were the underdogs.

Minnesota Vikings 44 Years Ago

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The Vikings were only underdogs because Miami was so good, not due to any significant deficiencies on their part. They exploded to a 9-0 start before finishing at 12-2. The team had a different look than the one that participated in the Super Bowl four years prior. They had the veteran scrambler, Fran Tarkenton at QB and the NFL Rookie of the Year, Chuck Foreman at running back. These Vikings were not as dominant as the 1969 team, but they were consistently good in all three phases of the game.

In the divisional round of the playoffs, Minnesota and the defending-NFC Champion Redskins went at it in a dogfight. With wind chill factors in the single digits, it was veteran Oscar Reed who stole the show with two 40+ yard plays from scrimmage. Tarkenton hit John Gilliam twice for second half scores and the Vikes outlasted Washington, 27-20.

In the NFC championship game at Dallas, the Vikings played an extraordinary defensive game holding the Cowboys to 150 yards and causing 6 turnovers. Gilliam scored again on a long one and Bobby Bryant had a pick six for Minnesota. Therefore, the Vikings clinched their date with Miami.

Miami Dolphins 44 Years Ago

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The Dolphins came into Super Bowl VIII as a very mature, battle-tested ball club. Unlike the 1972 team, the ’73 Dolphins lost. In fact, they lost twice. Between those losses, they had a 10-game winning streak which included two wins over OJ Simpson during his 2000-yard season.

Miami was a gigantic favorite over the young Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round. And, they played like jumping out to a 21-3 lead. On the day, the Dolphins more than doubled the Bengals in points and in yards.

The following week, the Fins ruled the action again, this time over the silver and black. Oakland had been one of the teams to beat Miami earlier in the season and would be the team to take out the Dolphins in the 1974 playoffs. But, on this day, they were no match for the powerful Dolphins. Miami was so convincing in their control of the game, QB Bob Griese only threw six passes the entire game! Thus, the Dolphins were on to the Super Bowl yet again. Theirs was the first dynasty of the 1970’s.

Dolphin Domination

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Vegas loved the Dolphins’ chance at repeating making them a solid touchdown favorite. They also loved the defenses in this game as they posted an astounding 33.5 over/under. However, that total may have seemed like it was in jeopardy early. On their first drive, the Dolphins utilized a brand of smash-mouth football that left their smallish defensive linemen reeling. Two drives resulted in two touchdowns. Csonka got the first one. Kiick notched the second. Yepremien added a field goal and the Dolphins were in complete control.

There was nothing for a Vikings’ fan to enjoy from this first half. Even when they moved the ball into the red zone late in the half, they fumbled from the six-yard line on fourth down. Next, they got a huge run back on the second half kickoff from Gilliam. Of course, it was called back due to a hold.

The Dolphins won the game, 24-7. Larry Csonka on 33 carries rushed for 145 yards and won MVP. Griese was 6 for 7 throwing the ball. He tossed three total passes over the final three quarters. That is ball control football and that is what Shula wanted his squad to do.

Miami continued to be competitive throughout the ’70’s. But, they never won another Super Bowl. They lost twice in the ’80s. The Vikings made it back the following the season and ran into a steel curtain.

We’ll take more about that Super Bowl tomorrow when we’re 43 days from the big game!

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl IV

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The Super Bowl is just 48 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 48 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

New Orleans was the home of Super Bowl IV. The game was played in ancient Tulane Stadium on January 11, 1970. The game pitted the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings against the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. This game was historic for a number of reasons. But, it was a landmark affair due to it being the last game in AFL history. The merger was set to take effect for the 1970 season. Coming off the Jets’ victory in Super Bowl III, the AFL was confident while Vegas remained skeptical. Hence, the Vikes were installed as a double-digit favorite.

Minnesota Vikings 48 Years Ago

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Bud Grant’s Vikings were virtually unbeatable in NFL play in 1969. They finished 1st in offense AND defense and rattled off a 12-game winning streak. The best player in all of football at the time, Alan Page, anchored their powerful defensive line. Legends Jim Marshall, Carl Eller and Paul Krause joined Page on the defense which was known as the “purple people-eaters.” They yielded a TOTAL of 133 points over 14 games.

The offense was just as spectacular that season led by quarterback Joe Kapp. Kapp, a CFL-transplant, recorded by far his best campaign in the league in 1969 and won NFL MVP. On offense, the Vikes put up over 50 points on three different occasions. But, they were not flashy. They were all about brute force and power. That style was on display in their frigid home playoff games. They survived despite a valiant effort by John Brodie’s 49ers in the divisional round. Then, they crushed the Browns. Thus, Minnesota earned their first NFL championship.

Kansas City Chiefs 48 Years Ago

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Their opponents from the AFL were the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs outlasted the defending world-champion Jets in the AFL Championship game after holding off Oakland in the western division. Since their appearance in Super Bowl I, they had added Willie Lanier and Curley Culp. Consequently, in addition to their wide open offense, they now possessed perhaps the greatest defense in AFL history.

Chiefs Clearly Superior

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Both teams moved the ball well early aided by turnovers and penalties. On Minnesota’s first possession, Grant decided against a 46-yard field goal attempt. The Chiefs, on their ensuing drive, decided for attempting a 48-yard field goal by future Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud. And, he nailed it giving KC the 3-0 lead. Two field goals and two fumbles later, the Chiefs were in prime position to take a commanding lead. NFL Films famously recorded Chiefs’ coach Hank Stram call the next play: “65 toss power trap!” The play worked as Mike Garrett ran through a gaping hole for touchdown giving the Chiefs a 16-0 lead.

Minnesota finally scored on their first drive of the second half when Dave Osborn powered home from the four. But, the Chiefs responded. From the Vikings’ forty-six, Len Dawson hit Otis Taylor on a short out. He broke a tackle. And, the rest is history. Taylor’s scamper down the near sideline stands as one of the vintage moments of early Super Bowl history. Likewise, it put the Vikings away for good.

The AFL tied the NFL at two wins apiece. Hence, the Chiefs’ dismantling of the mighty Vikings proved that there definitely was league-wide parity.

1970 would usher in a new era of pro football. There were two conferences formed: the AFC & NFC. Each conference had three divisions. So, the Colts, Browns and Steelers had to move from the NFL to the AFC to even things out.

The Chiefs have not returned to the Super Bowl since that great victory. Contrariwise, Minnesota returned three times only to lose all of those.

Tomorrow, we will take a look at Super Bowl V aka “The Blunder Bowl.”

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills